At a rate of 5 mm per year, Venice is sinking. You need to make time to visit it! Dedicate at least one day from your busy schedule to explore its wonders. Fortunately, all the main attractions are compactly located, and we’ve crafted an efficient walking itinerary for you. Make sure to grab the Venice Pass at this link – it allows you to visit two major landmarks without waiting in line. This pass also includes Venice’s most iconic experience: a gondola ride!
Where to Stay in Venice?
It is possible to explore the historic center of Venice in daylight hours, and many travelers do just that. However, we recommend spending at least 24 hours here to experience the magical evening calm, once the day-trippers have left. The choice is yours, but make sure to decide in advance and book your accommodation before your trip.
» READ MORE – Venice Neighbourhoods: Where is the Best Place for a Tourist to Stay?
For convenience, stay near Santa Lucia railway station and Piazzale Roma. These locations provide easy access to buses from the airport and trains from other parts of Italy.
Consider the following options:
- Hotel Santa Chiara 4* – a luxurious stay with rooms decorated in traditional Venetian style
- Hotel Gardena 3* – classic Venetian interiors with views of the Grand Canal and Rio dei Tolentini
- Hotel Florida 2* – a more budget-friendly choice with simpler furnishings
- ANDREA's ground-floor flat – a cozy option for an overnight stay
How to Get from the Airport to Venice?
Marco Polo International Airport is 14 km from Venice. You can reach Piazzale Roma directly by:
- Bus line 5
- Tourist shuttle (includes luggage storage and Wi-Fi)
Travel time varies from 20 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic. Ticket prices:
- One-way: €10
- Round-trip: €18
(Ticket prices are the same for both bus options.)
You can buy tickets at the airport arrivals hall, at vending machines near the bus stop, or pre-book them here.
Paid Entry to Venice
Venice is often called an open-air museum, but its delicate environment is under constant threat from mass tourism. To limit overcrowding, visitor numbers have been capped at 60,000 per day. Since January 16, 2023, non-overnight visitors must pay an entrance fee of €3–€10, depending on the season and daily visitor load.
Walking Route: From Bridge to Bridge
Since our route starts near the station, we begin at Constitution Bridge, the youngest and most modern bridge in Venice. Designed by Santiago Calatrava, the Spanish-Swiss architect behind futuristic landmarks like the Turning Torso in Malmö, Montjuïc Communications Tower in Barcelona, and the Jerusalem Chords Bridge, it connects the station to Piazzale Roma.
Moving along the canal, we reach the Bridge of Three Bridges – although, after reconstruction in the 1930s, it technically became five!
» READ MORE – 15 main sights of Venice
The Works of Tintoretto
Crossing canal after canal, we arrive at Scuola San Rocco, one of Venice’s six major scuole (charitable organizations). Built in 1549, this brotherhood of San Rocco provided aid to the sick. Today, it attracts visitors for its unparalleled artistic legacy — Tintoretto dedicated 20 years of his life to painting here, creating 60 masterpieces depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments.
Entry fee: €10
Tip: Download an audio guide for an immersive experience.
Church of San Rocco
Nearby stands the Church of San Rocco (not to be confused with the Scuola). Above its entrance, a bas-relief depicts St. Roch healing plague victims. In the past, the Doge of Venice would pray here annually to ward off the plague.
Entry fee: €2
Fun fact: Venice has over 150 churches — an impressive number for a city built on water!
Leonardo da Vinci Interactive Museum
A short walk away is the Leonardo da Vinci Museum, a rare modern space in Venice dedicated to the Renaissance genius. The exhibits, based on his original blueprints, allow visitors to interact with and operate historical mechanisms.
Entry fee: €8.90
Buy tickets in advance here. If you’re short on time, at least check out the souvenir shop — it’s full of fascinating da Vinci-themed gifts.
» READ MORE – What to Bring from Venice
Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
Venice’s largest cathedral, Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, took nearly a century to build (1250–1338). Today, it functions as a museum, housing works by Titian, Giovanni Bellini, and Donatello.
Entry fee: €5
Audio guide: €2
(Included in the church pass.)
Piazza San Polo
Piazza San Polo
We take a short break from the experience and move leisurely towards the Campo San Polo. This spacious square is lined on all sides with old mansions and once had a canal running through it too. Don’t forget to take photos of St Paul’s Church (XIV-XV centuries) or even go inside to admire the works of Tintoretto, Paolo Veronese, Jacopo Guarana, Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo.
Next, we will walk in a straight line, as straight as the streets of Venice can be, to the Rialto Bridge. This is the most visited bridge in Venice and one of the symbols of the city. Not far from it, it’s time to take a break and have a nice lunch.
Where to dine in Venice?
There are several cafes and restaurants open in the square near the church of St Giacomo di Rialto. Venetian cuisine is served at Osteria Bancogiro: liver with dried aubergine, Piedmontese beef, tuna with guacamole, fried octopus, monkfish with yellow tomatoes. Appetisers — 17-18 €, meat dishes — 22-27 €, fish dishes — 23-24 €, pasta — 18-22 €, desserts — 9 €. The wine list includes the best samples of the Veneto wine region. We marked this place on the map.
Piazza San Marco
From the Rialto Bridge, continue to Piazza San Marco, the highlight of your day. Each year, over 20 million people visit this square.
Here, you’ll find:
- St. Mark’s Cathedral
- The Campanile (bell tower)
- Doge’s Palace
- Clock Tower
- Correr Museum
- Marciana Library
- Café Florian (the world’s oldest café)
Book tickets in advance to skip long queues!
Dinner at a Rooftop Bar
End your day at Terrazza Danieli, a rooftop bar/restaurant with breathtaking views over Santa Maria della Salute, San Giorgio Maggiore, and the Royal Gardens.
Dinner: 19:00–22:30
Aperitifs, fine Italian cuisine, and an exquisite martini selection — what better way to wrap up your Venetian adventure?
Venice Carnival
If you’re lucky to visit during the Venice Carnival, you’ll witness 18 days of festivities, culminating in the spectacular final week. The dates vary each year but generally fall between late February and early March.
Venice is a city that deserves much more than just a day. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, it was a major cultural, financial, and military powerhouse. Every building is a monument. However, even in one day, you can experience a great deal.
By the way, we have a branded Venice audio guide for just €5 – download it to navigate easily and see all the highlights!
George Rex / Flickr / CC-BY-SA 2.0 
Markéta Jaklová / Pixabay
Anne and Saturnino Miranda / Pixabay
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